摘要:
A magnetic field sensor uses four individual magnetoresistive spin valve elements electrically connected in a bridge circuit. The spin valve elements are lithographically formed on the same substrate with their free layers having their magnetization axes parallel to one another. An electrically conductive fixing layer is formed on the substrate but is insulated from the spin valve elements. The application of current through the fixing conductor during fabrication of the field sensor fixes the direction of magnetization of two of the pinned layers to be antiparallel to the direction of magnetization of the other two pinned layers. The bridge circuit output voltage is responsive to an external magnetic field in the plane of the sensor. By appropriate fixing of the direction of magnetization of the pinned layers during sensor fabrication, and appropriate connection to the input and output leads, the bridge circuit output voltage is a measure of either the magnetic field or field gradient. The fixing conductor, or a separate current strap formed on the substrate, can be used to pass an unknown current over the sensor, in which case the bridge circuit output voltage is a measure of the unknown current.
摘要:
A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining file readback performance compensating for readback errors caused by head/disk interaction used with a data detection channel in a direct access storage device. A readback signal is sensed from at least one disk surface and a data channel error rate is detected responsive to the readback signal. The detected data channel error rate is compared with a first predetermined threshold value and a gain of a phase lock loop (PLL) in the peak data detection channel is optimized responsive to an identified data channel error rate with a first predetermined threshold value. The PLL gain is adjusted until a lowest error rate is detected. A failure warning for the direct access storage device is provided to a user when the detected PLL gain is greater than a predefined loop gain value.
摘要:
Systems and methods for forming an encapsulated device include a hermetic seal which seals an insulating environment between two substrates, one of which supports the device. The hermetic seal is formed by an alloy of two metal layers, one deposited on a first substrate and the other deposited on the second substrate. At least one of the substrates may include a raised feature formed under at least one of the metal layers. The two metals may for an alloy of a predefined stoichiometry in at least two locations on either side of the midpoint of the raised feature. This alloy may have advantageous features in terms of density, mechanical, electrical or physical properties that may improve the hermeticity of the seal, for example.
摘要:
Systems and methods for forming an encapsulated device include a hermetic seal which seals an insulating environment between two substrates, one of which supports the device. The hermetic seal is formed by an alloy of two metal layers, one deposited on a first substrate and the other deposited on the second substrate. At least one of the substrates may include a raised feature formed under at least one of the metal layers. The two metals may for an alloy of a predefined stoichiometry in at least two locations on either side of the midpoint of the raised feature. This alloy may have advantageous features in terms of density, mechanical, electrical or physical properties that may improve the hermeticity of the seal, for example.
摘要:
A disposable cartridge is described which is equipped with a plurality of microfabricated particle sorting structures. The disposable cartridge may include passageways which connect fluid reservoirs in the cartridge with corresponding microfluidic passageways on the particle sorting structure. A flexible gasket may prevent leakages and allow the fluid to cross the gasket barrier through a plurality of holes in the gasket, allowing fluid to be transferred from the reservoirs to the microfabricated particle sorting structures. The plurality of particle sorting structures may be arranged in the disposable cartridge in order to perform multiple separation operations, such as a sequential or parallel sorting operation.
摘要:
A disposable cartridge is described which is compatible with a MEMS particle sorting device. The disposable cartridge may include passageways which connect fluid reservoirs in the cartridge with corresponding microfluidic passageways on the MEMS chip. A flexible gasket may prevent leakages and allow the fluid to cross the gasket barrier through a plurality of holes in the gasket. Vents and septums may also be included to allow air to escape and fluids to be inserted by hypodermic needle. A MEMS-based particle sorting system using the disposable cartridge is also described.
摘要:
A starting sequence is provided for a rotating disk data storage device by providing a low level sensing current to the spindle motor which is able to initiate rotation of the disk spindle assembly when, absent stiction between head and confronting disk surface, it is only necessary to overcome disk assembly inertia and head drag. A sensing device is provided to sense a back electromotive force (EMF) in the spindle motor windings which indicates the start of disk rotation when any stiction condition has been terminated. A sequence of alternating current pulse bursts are applied to the actuator motor to impart a dithering action to the heads which induces axial vibration of the disks to break the stiction between the heads and confronting disk surfaces. The initial burst is of low amplitude pulses and each succeeding burst is of progressively greater amplitude and the pulses of each burst are of constant or progressively varying frequency to afford some consecutive pulses approaching the resonant frequency of the disk modes of vibration to enhance the stiction breaking force. The sensing of a back EMF (indicating disk rotation and the termination of any stuck head condition) is used to terminate the start sequence and switch the spindle and actuator motors to the normal operational control of the drive.
摘要:
A disposable cartridge is described which is equipped with a plurality of microfabricated particle sorting structures. The disposable cartridge may include passageways which connect fluid reservoirs in the cartridge with corresponding microfluidic passageways on the particle sorting structure. A flexible gasket may prevent leakages and allow the fluid to cross the gasket barrier through a plurality of holes in the gasket, allowing fluid to be transferred from the reservoirs to the microfabricated particle sorting structures. The plurality of particle sorting structures may be arranged in the disposable cartridge in order to perform multiple separation operations, such as a sequential or parallel sorting operation.
摘要:
A MEMS-based system and a method are described for separating a target particle from the remainder of a fluid stream. The system makes use of a unique, microfabricated movable structure formed on a substrate, which moves in a rotary fashion about one or more fixed points, which are all located on one side of the axis of motion. The movable structure is actuated by a separate force-generating apparatus, which is entirely separate from the movable structure formed on its substrate. This allows the movable structure to be entirely submerged in the sample fluid.
摘要:
A magnetic recording disk drive has a startup routine that frees the recording head carriers and moves them to a parking location, such as load/unload ramp or a disk landing zone, if they are stuck to the disks when the drive motor is attempted to be started. If the drive motor does not achieve its operating speed at normal startup of the disk drive, thus indicating that static friction or other "stiction" forces are adhering the carriers to the disks, a series of alternating current pulses is applied to the actuator to dither the carriers at an initial frequency that is generally equal to or above the resonant frequency of the actuator system with stuck carriers. The frequency and amplitude of the pulses is swept downward from the initial frequency and amplitude and repeated until the drive motor rotates at its operating speed. The alternating current pulses that perform the dithering of the carriers have different amplitudes or durations so that a net force is applied to the actuator to move the carriers to the parking location.